Victor Hochhauser goes to the High Court over Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker

The 89 year-old promoterVictor Hochhauser is suing the owners of the O2 Arena for more than £338,000.

I have worked in this business for the past 60 years and I have never had any disputes, I have never been to court in my life, not even as a witness. All I want is the money I am owed by them – not a penny more and not a penny less.”

The December performances of the ballet made a substantial loss. Hochhauser is suing Ansco Arena, the firm which runs the O2, alleging that Ansco is trying to charge him for venue costs of £324,000 without supplying any underlying documents or invoices for expenses incurred. Hochhauser says his expenses came to a total of £975,000, but Ansco has only paid £355,000, despite collecting income of £674,000.

I have tried to take the reasonable appoach and I am hoping this won’t go to court and, instead, we can reach a happy settlement. I have never had any trouble with a venue before. Business with me is always friendly. The Royal Albert Hall once even threw a big banquet for me.”

A spokesman for the O2 said,

We were surprised to receive this claim, but we are confident that this matter will be brought to a satisfactory resolution for the O2.”

Graham Spicer

Writer, director and photographer in Milan, blogging (under the name 'Gramilano') about dance, opera, music and photography for people who are a bit like me and like some of the things I like.

I was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. My scribblings have appeared in various publications from Woman's Weekly to Gay Times. I write the 'Danza in Italia' column for Dancing Times.